If I am being completely honest with everyone, including myself, so far I’d use the word disappointing to sum up 5^th region basketball through 2 weeks. Maybe it was my expectations that this year would be the year that other regions would have to take note of several teams from the 5^th, but through 2 weeks, I’m not certain many top teams in the state will be too worried about teams from the 5^th region.

We still have some teams that haven’t gotten all of their transfers eligible. Some transfers just got eligible and that will make a difference for some teams as they get more playing time together.

There was no change in the rankings in the lower half. Teams 13-18 remain the same. Bardstown drops to #12 and is still winless so far. They will play Washington County this week, who is also winless, so one of them will get one in the win column.

Green County had the biggest drop from 4 to 10. Things don’t look good in Greensburg. Star player Eric James Jr has left the team. Modi Kuyoate is rumored to be gone as well and doesn’t look to be getting eligible anytime soon. Transfer Uth Laws finally has been made eligible and had a couple of good outings so far but have heard numerous rumors about him leaving as well. Then transfer Kai Wade, who still hasn’t been declared eligible is also rumored to be on his way out. If all of that turns out to be true that will be devasting, but the loss of James takes Green County from a top 5 team and regional contender to a team that will likely struggle to get out of the district.

Marion County cracks the top 10 this week in the number 9 spot. The Knights have played much better than I think anyone would have expected them too. Gabriel Washington had 41 points in their win against Green County this past week.

Nelson County also moved up a few spots in the rankings this week. Jordan Gilbert has the Cards playing well as a team. A solid district win against Bardstown puts them and Bethlehem as the top 2 teams in the 19^th district for now.

The only thing remaining the same in the top 5 is the top spot belonging to Caverna. They had a dominant win over Green County that was followed up by a tough loss to CAL. CAL is a very good team and for the most part controlled the game. The shooting for Caverna has got to get better. I haven’t looked at stats but just watching the game, the Colonels struggled to shoot the ball consistently well.

Taylor County could make an argument that they should be in the top spot and had they held onto the win against Warren Central they likely would be. The Cardinals lost to Warren Central when they gave up the lead on a free throw with around 5 seconds left in the game. That was the only time they trailed. Bryce Vernon is playing well for Taylor County right now.

Adair County has everyone healthy and eligible now, so don’t be surprised to see the Indians start making a move for one of the top 2 spots in the region.

Larue County smacked North Hardin in a dominant win early in the week and then dominated district rival Hart County. I thought this might be a year where the Hawks would struggle and come region tournament time be on the outside looking in, but with all of the changes in the 18^th district happening, don’t be surprised for the Hawks to be right in the thick of it.

Team	Record	Last Week Ranking	Results from Last Week	Games this Week
1.Caverna	3-1	1	W Barren Co. 46-36, Green County 70-34, L- CAL 54-60	Larue County, Butler College Prep (at Marshall Co.) at Marshall County
2. Taylor County	5-1	3	W- Wayne County 63-58, Campbellsville 64-40, L-Warren Central 62-63	at Boyle County, Capital City Classic (Western Hills, Grant County, Eastern
3. Adair County	3-1	6	W- Marion County 70-56	Berea Holiday Classic (Magoffin County, Madison Southern, Central)
4. Larue County	4-1	7	W- North Hardin 71-53, Hart County 65-31	at Caverna, at Fairdale (KOB)
5. North Hardin	3-1	2	L- Larue County 53-71, W- Henry Clay 63-58, Glasgow 77-74	at Greenwood, John Hardin
6. Central Hardin	3-2	5	L- Trinity 51-67, W-Elizabethtown 80-69, L- Male 45-97	at Nelson County, at CAL
7. Nelson County	3-1	9	W- Breck Co. 82-75, Bardstown 70-63	Central Hardin, at Western Hills, Doss
8. Bethlehem	3-1	10	W- Washington County 64-56, Thomas Nelson 52-50 (Overtime)	at Shelby County, at Metcalfe County, Monroe County (at Metcalfe County)
9. Marion County	3-2	11	W- John Hardin 57-55, Green County 81-68, L- Adair County 56-70	at Mercer County, Iroquois (at Thomas Nelson)
10. Green County	1-4	4	L-Marion County 68-81, Caverna 34-70	Campbellsville, Hart County, Monroe County (at Metcalfe Co.), at Metcalfe County
11. Campbellsville	2-3	12	W- Hart County 78-61, L- Taylor County 40-64	at Green County, at Cumberland County,
12. Bardstown	0-5	8	L- Nelson County 63-70, Butler 39-75	at Washington County, CAL
13. Hart County	2-3	13	W- Allen Co. Scottsville 97-75, L- Campbellsville 61-78, Larue County 31-65	at Logan County, at Green County
14. Thomas Nelson	1-3	14	W- Fort Knox 70-38, L-Bethlehem 50-52 (Overtime)	at Doss, Burgin
15. Washington County	0-4	15	L- Bullitt Central 59-62, Bethlehem 56-64	Bardstown, Danville
16. Elizabethtown	0-4	16	L- Bowling Green 70-85, Central Hardin 69-80	John Hardin, Eagle Classic (Apollo, Ballard Memorial, Russellville)
17. John Hardin	1-5	17	L- Marion County 55-57, W- Shawnee 58-42, L- Hancock Co. 62-69	at Elizabethtown, at North Hardin
18. Fort Knox	1-2	18	L- Thomas Nelson 38-70, W-Francis Parker 71-66 (overtime), L- Hancock Co. 33-66	Edmonson Co, Brown,

 

If Adair can get better as a team defensively and rebounding, they will be a very tough out come March.  Scoring will not be an issue with George, Gilbert and Blakey.  I’ve been impressed with Sophie John Shehan as well.  Picked up scoring slack while Gilbert and Blakey were out.   Very good size.  Smallest starter is 6’3”.

13 hours ago, 1995AdairGrad said:

If Adair can get better as a team defensively and rebounding, they will be a very tough out come March.  Scoring will not be an issue with George, Gilbert and Blakey.  I’ve been impressed with Sophie John Shehan as well.  Picked up scoring slack while Gilbert and Blakey were out.   Very good size.  Smallest starter is 6’3”.

As of right now I would say Adair is the tram to beat.

After looking at scores from Tuesday night's games, looking like a shake up in the rankings for week 3. There were a lot of 5th region matchups, but some teams, however, are still not at full strength, with a handful of top players still ruled ineligible. 

Bardstown 20pt win over Washington Co

Etown 33pt win over John Hardin

North Hardin lost in OT to Greenwood

Hart Co 20pt win over Green

LaRue 4pt win over Caverna

Marion, Nelson, and Thomas Nelson all get out of region wins as well. 

4 hours ago, GoOneMore said:

After looking at scores from Tuesday night's games, looking like a shake up in the rankings for week 3. There were a lot of 5th region matchups, but some teams, however, are still not at full strength, with a handful of top players still ruled ineligible. 

Bardstown 20pt win over Washington Co

Etown 33pt win over John Hardin

North Hardin lost in OT to Greenwood

Hart Co 20pt win over Green

LaRue 4pt win over Caverna

Marion, Nelson, and Thomas Nelson all get out of region wins as well. 

I would say you are probably correct. Will see what happens on Friday night.